Winter weddings are stunning—and snow makes for gorgeous photos—but a cold venue or a slushy commute could ruin the fun fast. That’s why it’s important to make sure you (and your guests!) are prepared to deal with the elements that might come your way. Below, find three things you definitely need to do if you’re planning on holding a winter wedding with a chance of subzero weather.
1. Dress appropriately.
You don’t have to forgo outdoor photos just because you’re getting married in the winter. But you should definitely make sure you’re prepared with warm attire to avoid shivering your way through your photo session.
Our suggestions? Find a warm shawl or a winter coat to go with your gown (this could even be your “something blue.”) For shoes, go for a closed-toe style—and if there’s a chance it’ll be icy out, you can opt for a pair of white snow boots that you can change in and out of for traveling between venues. For extra warmth, you can consider adding white gloves, tights and even fuzzy white winter ear muffs to your ensemble.
If you (or your partner) is planning to wear a tux, you can count on layering up with a formal black coat that coordinates with the attire. Or for an added punch of color, pick out a cool scarf that goes with your color palette and style.
You’ll also want to keep your wedding party in the loop regarding winter attire—whether it’s matching down coats for your bridesmaids or asking groomsmen to wear coordinating scarves, they’ll be happy you helped them keep warm.
2. Arrange transportation.
We always recommend arranging transportation to make it as easy as possible for your guests to get from the ceremony to the reception, especially if the driving conditions will be less than ideal. If snow and ice are a possibility, consider having your ceremony and reception at the same venue, saving your guests any travel trouble.
If guests will be driving to the reception space, consider valet parking so that they don’t have to walk far from their cars to their entrance.
And of course, encourage your guests to download a ride-sharing app if they don’t have it already, or have the number of a car service on hand just in case the weather takes a turn for the worse. That way, you can be certain everyone gets home safely.
3. Prep your space.
Take care to avoid any cold-weather mishaps when you make arrangements for your reception space.
We suggest having a place for your guests to put their coats and scarves. For parties of 50 or more, you’ll most likely need to hire a coat check attendant to take care of your guests as they enter and exit throughout the evening. At the entrance to the reception, you can make sure there’s a proper all-weather mat for guests to wipe their shoes on. (You don’t want anyone slipping on the dance floor just because the sidewalks outside are slushy.)
Choose a reception venue that has plenty of space between the door to the outside and the reception room. That way, you’ll keep the indoor environment as toasty and warm as possible. If your reception will take place in a tent, arrange for an extra tent layer and double-door tent to create an entryway and keep out the cold air. It’s also a good idea to make sure you order heat lamps—you can place them around the space (one per ten guests should be enough).
